LCR Condemns Racist, Anti-Gay Group Linked
to Lott, Barr

(WASHINGTON) The nation's largest gay Republican
organization joined Republican National Committee Chairman Jim
Nicholson in condemning a racist, anti-gay organization calling
itself the Council for Conservative Citizens (CCC), and called
on all Republican officials to denounce the organization which
has publicly linked itself to GOP leaders and initiatives.

"This organization profanes the legacy of
Abraham Lincoln, and bigots must have no place in the Party of
Lincoln," said Rich Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin
Republicans. "Every Republican should speak out in uncompromising
unison that bigotry on this scale is not welcome in the Republican
Party."

Nicholson said in a statement on January 20 that
"a member of the party of Lincoln should not belong to such
an organization... The Republican Party rejects and condemns such
views forcefully and without hesitation or equivocation."

News articles revealed that Senate Majority Leader
Trent Lott (R-MS) and Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA), a House Manager
in President Clinton's impeachment trial, were publicly linked
to the CCC. Lott's association, according to the New York Times
and the Washington Post, dates back years and includes numerous
contacts including meetings, a speech at their convention, and
an appearance in their newsletter. The CCC claims Lott as an "honorary
member." Governor Kirk Fordice (R-MS) gave the keynote address
at the CCC convention in November in Jackson, Mississippi. An
article appearing in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger in November covered
the event, and quoted several members in attendance with saying
that Lott was indeed a member. When it was revealed over a month
later by the Washington Post that Lott had addressed the CCC in
Greenwood, Mississippi, saying that "the people in this room
stand for the right principles and the right philosophy,"
Lott claimed to have "no first-hand knowledge" of the
organization's views, and said he was not a member.

Tafel criticized CCC leader Gordon Baum for saying
his followers were "key GOP supporters," adding that
any Republican official who retains membership in the CCC or supports
their agenda are unfit to hold office. RNC Committeman Buddy Witherspoon
of South Carolina has publicly refused Nicholson's request that
he resign his CCC membership.

"There can be no middle ground on this kind
of bigotry," Tafel said. "Chairman Nicholson was right.
These people are not what the Republican Party should be about.
It's time for cowardice and pandering to extremists to end, and
for the Republican Party to speak with one voice against bigots
like this."

Log Cabin Republicans is the nation's largest
gay and lesbian Republican organization, with state and local
chapters nationwide, a full-time Washington office and a federal
political action committee.